The Sheep

A looonnnngggg time ago, a little lamb rode in the back of her parent’s car and sounded out the words on the billboard.  With a picture of two paths, one wide, one narrow, it read something like this, “Only one way to heaven, which will you choose?” 

Her little heart worried about that question until the summer before she entered the fourth grade when she went to Daily Vacation Bible School at a nearby church.  Every day the children would march into the church carrying their Bibles and singing songs about knowing Jesus and going to heaven.  She wanted to know Jesus, too, but how?  She was too shy to ask, so she sang the songs very loudly with all her heart.  If she sang them and really believed it, maybe it would become truth.

Finally, on the last day of DVBS, the teachers led the Bible lesson and asked a very important question at the end of the class.  Everyone had their eyes closed as she asked, “Is there anyone here who would like to know Jesus?  Raise your hand.”  Her little hand shot high into the air!  Then they invited her to come to them after class.  They told her how she had a wandering heart that was full of sin and needed Jesus, and they led her to pray asking forgiveness and asking Jesus to come into her life to be her Lord and Savior.  Oh, the joy to finally know Jesus!

That little lamb grew up to be a sheep.  She still wanders.  She still fears.  She still needs her Shepherd.  I’ve often wondered why God uses the picture of sheep to describe us in the Bible.  I would rather He liken us to horses, eagles, or even giraffes.  But sheep?  Despite a recent study that says that sheep are not as dumb as once thought, they do exhibit a stupidity that drives them to follow the crowd.

We are all too easily led.  We are led by prevailing notions, by fears, by our own desires to be part of the herd, by winsome leaders, and by the easy wide road.  Yes, I am just a simple sheep.  I need a Shepherd to lead me to clean still waters and lush green pastures.  I need Him to restore my soul.  I need His rod and staff to comfort me in the valley of the shadow of death and lead me in paths of righteousness.  My Shepherd promises me a table in the presence of my enemies and a cup full and running over.  How I love His goodness and mercy and, oh, how I delight to live in His sheepfold forever!

If you choose to continue to read the posts on this blog, I hope that you will be blessed, encouraged, admonished, exhorted and edified.  Please comment and share your thoughts, disagreements or challenges. 

Just one more item to share…check out this video! 

 Admittedly, it’s about a rabbit, not the sheep—so enjoy this amazing little bunny and the fun song.  But do consider the sheep, too.  It strikes me how easily they are led by a little cotton ball on four legs.  If they were smart, they would stomp on him and go their merry way, but instead they are driven in fear by a ball of fluff.  I see myself here, do you?  What balls of fluff drive your decisions and actions?